Suction cleaner



April 9, 1935. H. E. HOOVER 1,996,921

SUCTION CLEANER Filed Dec. 12, 1930 4 sheets-sheet 1 April 9, 1935. H, E. HOOVER SUCTION CLEANER Filed Dec. 12, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 @256m 12560067? ffy@ 5- WMM/S Aprilv 9, 1935. H. E. HOOVER SUCTION CLEANER Filed Dec. 12, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN1 YENTOR.

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lPatented Apr. 9, 1935 UNITED STATES SUCTION CLEANER.

mwa-asm Hoover, Glencoe, m., mmm a The Hoover Company `corporation of Ohio North Canton, Ohio, a

Application December l2, 1930, Serial No. 501,785

12 Claims.

The following invention relates A to suction cleaners and more particularly to new and novel means for surface covering agitation in suction cleaners. In the present invention the desirable result is obtained of having coincident the point of agitation of the surface covering and the point of flow of the 'cleaning air through the surface covering.

It is a primary object of the present invention l0 to provide a suction cleaner construction in which the agitation of the surface covering undergoing cleaning isaccomplished by new and novel means. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a suction cleaner in which the point of surface agitation is lcoincident with the point of maximum cleaning effectiveness of the cleaning air. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide in a suction cleaner an improved agitator which contains air at substantially atmospheric pressure and from which air escapes into the main nozzle 'of the cleaner ,in the operation of the machine. It is another object of the present invention to provide a suction cleaner within the nozzle of which is provided an g5 agitating air tunnel. Other and more specific objects will appear upon reading the following specification and considering the drawings annexed thereto.

v In the drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout:

Fig. 1 is a side View with certain parts broken away, of a suction cleaner which is constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the cleaner shown in,

Fig. l with a portion of the front wall of the nozzle broken away to better show the 'agitating air tunnel therein;

Fig. 3 is a cross section upon the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a partial view in cross sectionpf a modified embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a front view of a cleaner embodying the present inventionv as shown in Fig. 4 with the nozzle brol-:enV away in part to better show the agitating air tunnel therein;

Fig. 6 is a partialplan view upon the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a partial side view of a modified embodiment of the present invention showing certain parts in section upon the longitudinal center line of the cleaner.

Fig. 8 is a section upon the line 8-3 of Fig. 7.

Referring now to Figs. l, 2 and 3 in particular, a. preferred embodiment of the present invention I6f is disclosed and comprises a suction cleaner having a motor casing I0, a fan casing II including an exhaust outlet, a nozzle casing I2, front and rear supporting wheels I3 and I 4 and a pivoted handle member I5 by means of which the cleaner -may be propelled over the supporting surface. Within the motor casing I0 is positioned a driving motor IB, as in the usual suction cleaner, the shaft I'Iv of' which extends through the forward wall I8, which separates the interior of the motor casing from the fan'chamber, into the fan cham- 10 ber II and carries upon its extended end the suction-creating fan I9. The parts heretofore described are those found in the usual suction cleaner and no invention resides or is claimed in their general arrangement.

Nozzle lips 2| and 22 are formed upon the nozzle I2 and extetnd thejwidth thereof, being shaped concavely on their under side so as to conform to the contour of the 4lifted surface covering as raised by the suction within the nozzle I2. Lips 2I and 22 are of relatively great width being of a type commonly known as broad sealing lips and are so designed that a minimum of airpasses between themselves and the surface covering which they contact. Positioned within the nozzle I2 and extending thereacross is the agitating hollow member or air tunnel 23 which is open at its lower side between the opposed parallel edges or lips 24 and 25 which are relatively narrow as compared to the broad sealing lips 2I and 22 yand are of such magnitude that they are adapted to extend between the adjacent rows of pile of a surface covering or between theadjacent tufts of the same row of pile. These lips are of the type known as pile penetrating or agitating lips. The agtating member 23 is supported within the nozzle I2 by spaced horizontal rods 26, 26 mounted within the `nozzle I2 and upon which are slidingly mounted the bearings 2l, 21 etc., which are formed on the plates 28, 28 which in turn are rigidly attached to the top of the agitating member in some suitable manner. This arrangement permits the agitating tunnel to slide -within the nozzle in the direction of the length of the machine.

Each end plate 29 formed at the end of the agitating air tunnel 23 is provided with an opening 30 which is of substantially the same dimensions as the opening 3| formed in the end plate 32 of the nozzle I2, and, with the agitating member positioned centrally within the nozzle, the openings 30 and 3| are in direct alinement. A sealing gasket 33 is carried upon the inner surface of each of the end plates 32, 32 around the opening 3| therein and provides a surface with which the end plate 29 of the agitator may make sliding contact with a minimum leakage of air therebetween.

In order that the agitator 23 may be positively actuated within the nozzle I2 power transmission means are provided which transmit the rotational torque of the driving motor I6 into a reciprocating horizontal movement at the agitating member. This transmission mechanism comprises a worm gear |1A which is mounted upon the motor shaft I1 within the motor casing I0 and which meshes with the lspiral gear 34A fixedly carried at the upper end of a shaft 34 which extends through the bottom of the motor casing through the hollow column or channel 35, being rotatably supported therein by means of bearings 36 and 31 at the upper and lower ends thereof respectively. The lower end of shaft 34 extends within a housing below the motor casing which is indicated generally by the reference character 38 and which includes a removable bottom plate 39' which is secured in position as by screws 40. At its lower extremity the shaft 34 carries an on center pin 4| upon which is mounted a ball bearing 42. Bearing 42 is positioned within a sliding block 43 within the yoke 44 as in the usual yoke mechanism of this type and the entire mechanism is adapted, upon the rotation of pin 4| about shaft 34 as that shaft rotates, to reciprocate the yoke 44 in the direction of the length of the cleaner. A rod 45 is connected to the yoke 44 and extends forwardly therefrom being divided at its forward end into arms 46, 46 which pass through the rear wall of the nozzle l2, where they are suitably supported. The forward extremities of the arms 46, 46 are provided with suitable heads as indicated at 41 which are connected to the agi-- tator member 23 through suitable resilient seats 48, 48 which in turn are secured to the rear wall of the agitator by means such as spaced lugs 49, 49 carried thereby. In order that the agitator may at all times contact the forward head 41 of each arm 46 a pair of springs 50, 50 are provided between the forward wall of the agitator and the front wall of the nozzle which springs are positioned relative to the nozzle wall by means of suitable seats 5I, 5| and relative to the agitator by means of seats 52, 52.

In the operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention which has just` been described, the surface covering is lifted from the supporting surface by the suction within the' nozzle I2, created by the fan I9 which is driven by the motor I6, into contact with the broad sealing lips 2| and 22. In this raised position the surface covering is somewhat bowed and the pile thereof is spread apart providing a ready entrance for the agitating lips 24 and 25. l As the motor rotates the yoke 44 and so the rod 45 and arms 46, 46 are reciprocated through the aforedescribed mechanism resulting in the high frequency reciprocation of the agitator 23 between the rear and forward walls of the nozzle I2, said agitator being slidingly supported by means of the rods 26, 26. As the agitator is reciprocated back and forth at high frequency between the nozzle lips 2 I and 22 the penetrating agitating lips 24 and 25, which are extended into the surface covering, perform the function of agitating the pile of the covering and of loosening the embedded dirt therein. As the flow of air into the nozzle is substantially prevented under the lips 2| and 22, because of their great breadth, the air which enters the nozzle in response to the vacuum created therein by the' fan I9 enters by way of the openings 3|,

3| in the end walls of the nozzle, thru the openings 30, 30 into the agitator 23, and under the agitating lips 24 and 25 into the main nozzle l2. The openings 30, 30 and 3|, 3| are of sufllcient size so that the pressure within tunnel 23 is not appreciably below atmospheric. It is clear that as the air passes under the lips 24 and 25 it passes the point of maximum agitation, as it is the agitating lips 24 and 25 that are themselves agitating the surface coveringv through their high frequency vibration or movement relative thereto.

In the modified embodiment of the present invention which is shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 the agitating air tunnel is provided with a vertically reciprocating movement inplace of the horizontal reciprocation characteristic of the first described embodiment. According to the present embodiment the means by which the agitator 23 was supported within the nozzle for horizontal reciprocation have been replaced by means for vertical reciprocation which comprise, in the first instance, spaced springs 53, 53 which are hung from the upper wall of the nozzle |2 from suitable depending lugs 54, 54 and which are secured at their agitator ends to suitable attaching means 55, 55. In order that the agitator 23 may be guided in its vertical path at al1 times guide members 56, 56 are provided at each end of the agitator on the end walls 32 of the nozzle being secured to the end walls by suitable means such as rivets 51, 51. 'Ihe usual sealing gasket 33 is provided as in the previous modification and functions to\prevent airleakage.

Pivotally mounted inside the nozzle I2 by `means of suitable bracket supports 58, 58 are rocker arms 59, 59 which contact with their forwardly extended rounded portions 60, 60 the hardened plates 6|, 6| carried for that purpose by the upper surface of the agitator 23. The opposite extremity 62 ofY each rocker arm is slotted and encloses, as shown in Fig. 4, a pin 63 carried at that point by the forward extremity of eachof the branch arms 46, 46, the relation being such that the horizontal reciprocation of the arms 46, 46 functions to pivot the rocker arms 59, 59 without binding.

In the operation of the cleaner constructed in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention as the surface covering is lifted between the nozzle lips 2| and 22 it contacts the penetrating and agitating lips 24 and 25 carried by the agitator 23. In this modification, as in the preceding, the air enters the nozzle I2 through the openings 3|, 3| at the ends of the nozzle and passes through the tunnel 23, under the lips 24 and 25 thereof, and into the main nozzle in response to the demand created by the suction-creating fan I9. The agitator 23 in this embodiment is reciprocated vertically being urged alternately downward, by the action of the rocker arms 59, 59 as they are pivoted by the reciprocal movement of the arms 46, 46, and alternately upward by the action of springs 53, 53. The agitation of the surface covering in this instance is accomplished by the pushing and beating of the pile by the movement of the agitating lips in a vertical plane instead of transversely as in the preferred embodiment.

Referring now to the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 7 and 8, the cleaner comprises a motor I6, a fan chamber housing a driving fan |9, and a suction nozzle I2 which is made with a detachable lower portion |2a secured to the upper or main portion of the nozzle as by securing screws |2b. The nozzle of the present embodiment extends forward a greater distance from the fan chamber II than did the nomle of the previous embodiments for a purpose that will become apparent. Broad sealing'lips 2| and 22 are carried by nozzle I2 and more particularly on the part I 2a thereof.

In the present embodiment of the invention the power transmission means between the driving motor within the casing III and the agitating tunnel within the nozzle is omitted and in the place thereof is provided an electrical vibrating or reciprocating unit which is indicated generally' by the reference character 10 and the movable element of which is indicated at 1|.- The electrical unit 10 is carried upon the rear wall of nozzle I2 being suitably secured -thereto as by securing means 12, 12. 'I'he unit derives its electrical power directly from the same power source that drives the electrical motor within the casing I0 and lead 13 extends from the unit 10 into the motor casing II) as at 1l where it is electrically connected to the incoming power leads to the motor. y

Within nozzle I2 is positionedja reciprocating air tunnel which is indicated generally by the reference character 15 and which is of a modified design. Tunnel 15 extends substantially the .length of nozzle I2 and is flexibly connected by the air tight seals 16, 18 to the end walls thereof. Seals 16, 18 extend through the openings 30, 30 in the end walls'of the nozzle and are flxedly secured thereto by clamping rings 11, 11 which are in turn held by suitable screws 18, 18, etc. Clamping springs 19, 19 holdthe seals in place upon the air tunnel.

According to the present 'embodiment tunnel 15 is shaped as an hour glass converging from both ends towards the center at which point the movable element 1I of the electrical unit 10 is secured as by the nut 80. The correct alinement of air tunnel 15 within the nozzle is maintained by supporting rods 8|, 8I which are rigidly carried by the said tunnel and extend forwardly therefrom being slidably positioned in bearings 82, 82 provided in the forward wall of the cleaner nozzle. 'Ihe tunnel 15 in the present instance is opened to the suction cleaner nozzle in substantially the plane of the sealing lips 2| and 22, the opening being defined by the penetrating lips 83 and 84 which are positioned so that they contact the surface covering between the broad sealing lips.

In the operation ofthe cleaner constructed in accordance with the present embodiment upon the starting of the suction cleaner motor with the consequent revolving of the suction-creating fan I8 which is carried upon the shaft I1 thereof, the pressure within the nozzle I2 will be reduced and the surface covering will belifted into contact with the broad-sealing lips. Simultaneously with the starting of the fan-driving motor, the electrn cal unit 10,.which may be a solenoid or a suitable vibrator, is also energized, the electrical energy coming through the power leads 18 from the motor, and the reciprocating element 1| together with the airtunnel 15 which is rigidly connected thereto are horizontally reciprocated at a frequency dependent upon the characteristics of the ination of the speed-reduction gearing and the power transmission mechanism of the previous embodiments and also permits the using of a smaller driving motor. The enlarged vends of tunnel 15 insure the admission of suiilcient cleaning air to satisfy the suction along the entire length of the surface-contacting .lips 83 and 84.

I claim,

l. In a suction cleaner, a nozzle, a movable agitator within said nozzle interiorly connected to the exterior atmosphere and including a surface-contacting agitatlng element and means to direct air to the point of surface contact of said element, and means to impart a'rectilinear reciprocating movement to l:aid agitator.

2. 'In a suction` cleaner, a nozzle having a mouth, a movable agitator having an exhaust opening within said nozzle in substantially the plane of the nozzle mouth and interiorly connected to a source of cleaning fluid at a different pressure than the fluid within said nozzle, and means to impart a rectilinear reciprocating movement to said agitator.

3. In a suction cleaner, a nozzle, broad sealing 4. In a suction cleaner, a nozzle, nozzle lips upon said nozzle, a wall in said nozzle having, an opening therein, a hollow agitator slidably mounted in said nozzle, said agitator open to said nozzle and to the exterior atmosphere through the opening in said wall, a surface agitating member on said agitator, and means to reciprocate said agitator with a rectilinear movement.

5. In a suction cleaner, a nozzle, lips upon said nozzle, a wall at the end of said nozzle havingan opening therein, an open-ended and open-bottomed tunnel slidably mounted in said nozzle and open to the exterior atmosphere through the opening in said wall, an agitating member on said tunnel, and means to reciprocate said tunnel with a rectilinear movement. I

6. In a suction cleaner, a nozzle, broad sealing lips upon said nozzle, a wall at the end of said nozzle having an opening therein, an open-ended and open-bottomed tunnel slidably mounted -in said nozzle and open to the exterior atmosphere through the opening in said wall, a rigid agitating member on said tunnel, and means to horizontally reciprocate said tunnel with a rectilinear movement. 4

7. In a suction cleaner, a suction nozzle, spaced lips upon said nozzle adapted to contact the surface covering undergoing cleaning, means to draw air thru said nozzle, a vertically movable housing pressure greater than that in said nozzle, and

having an opening facing the surface covering undergoing cleaning, lips carried by said tunnel deilning said opening and adapted to contact the surface covering undergoing cleaning, and means to reciprocate said air tunnel to cause the lips on said tunnel to agitate the said surface covering.

9. In a suction cleaner, a suction nozzle, spaced broad-sealing lips upon said nozzle, means to draw air thru said nozzle and to. lift thelsuxiface4 covering undergoing cleaning against said broadsealing lips, a vertically slidable air tunnel in said nozzle connected interiorly to the atmosphere andy having an opening facing the surface covering undergoing cleaning, pile-penetrating lips carried by said tunnel at the sides of said opening under which the air leaving said tunnel must pass in entering said nozzle, said lips being positioned in substantially the plane of the nozzle lips and adapted to contact the surface covering, and means to vertically reciprocate said air tunnel to cause said penetrating lips to agitate and beat said covering.

l0. A suction cleaner comprising a suction nozzle, suction-creating means connected to said nozzle, a motor connected to said suction-creating means, an air tunnel interiorly connected to the atmosphere, movably supported in said nozzle and open to said nozzle at its bottom, surface-agitating means carried by said tunnel, and an individual power unit connected to said air tunnel to actuate same.

ll. A suction cleaner comprising a suction nozzle, lips on said nozzle, suction-creating means connected to said nozzle, a motor connected to said suction-creating means, a movable air tunnel in said nozzle interiorly connected to a source of air outside said nozzle and containing air at a higher pressure than that in said nozzle, said tunnel provided with an opening in substantially the plane of the nozzle lips, an agitating element carried by said tunnel and an electric vibrating unit connected to said tunnel to reciprocate same.

12. In a suction cleaner, a nozzle, an air tunnel within said nozzle extending across said nozzle. and interiorly connected to the atmosphere, said air tunnel including a downwardly facing exhaust outlet, characterized by the fact that said tunnel decreases in cross-section advancing from a point at which it is connected to the atmosphere to insure equal distribution of air flow thru said ex haust outlet.

' HOWARD EARL HOOVER. 

